Product Photography
How much does product photography cost in Dubai?
Product photography is quoted in three different units in Dubai — per image, per session and per day — and comparing quotes across those units is where most confusion begins.
This is how product photography pricing in Dubai works in practice, what each model suits, and the specific decisions that raise or lower the figure.
The three pricing models
01
Per session
A session of AED 3,500–6,000 covering up to 30 retouched images. This is the right unit for a defined batch of products photographed in a consistent setup — a new collection, a menu, a catalogue refresh.
02
Hourly
AED 1,200 per hour, suited to short, contained jobs. Hourly pricing is rarely economical for product work, because styling and lighting a product properly consumes time before the first usable frame exists.
03
Full commercial day
AED 8,000–15,000 per day producing 50 or more retouched images. Campaign and commercial photography sits here, where art direction, styling and multiple lighting setups are part of the brief rather than an addition to it.
Cost per image is the number that matters
For an e-commerce catalogue, divide the total by the number of finished images you actually need. A session at AED 5,000 producing 30 retouched images is roughly AED 165 per image, and a commercial day at AED 12,000 producing 60 images is around AED 200 — with significantly more art direction behind each frame.
Photographers quoting a very low per-image rate are usually assuming a single lighting setup, minimal styling and light retouching. That is a legitimate service; it is simply a different one.
What changes the price
01
Number of SKUs and angles
The volume driver is not products but frames. Twenty products at four angles each is eighty images, and the shoot must be planned as such.
02
Styling and set
A clean white-background catalogue shot is fast and repeatable. A styled lifestyle set with props, surfaces and a built environment takes far longer to construct and is priced accordingly.
03
Retouching depth
Standard retouching covers cleanup, colour accuracy and background. Composite work, liquid work, label reconstruction and skin retouching on models are separate and time-based.
04
Models and hands
Talent sourcing, fees and usage rights are quoted separately from the photography. Hand models for product interaction are a common and worthwhile addition for e-commerce.
05
Video captured alongside
Shooting stills and short-form video in the same session is markedly cheaper than two separate bookings, because the set and lighting are already built. Most e-commerce brands now need both.
06
Turnaround
Standard delivery timelines are agreed with the shoot. Compressed turnaround carries a 30% expedite surcharge because it displaces other scheduled post-production work.
Where high-speed and macro capture changes the brief
Some product moments cannot be photographed conventionally: a pour, a splash, powder lifting off a brush, a serum meeting skin, a texture breaking. High-speed cinematography up to 1,000fps and motion-control tabletop work turn those fractions of a second into the hero frame of a campaign.
This is studio-based work with its own day rate from AED 18,000, and it needs far more light and rehearsed product action than a standard shoot. It is worth the budget when the product moment itself is the selling argument — see how it applies to beauty and product work.
Planning a shoot to keep the cost down
- Group products by lighting setup rather than by category — fewer rebuilds means more frames per hour
- Decide the final image list before the shoot, including angles and crops
- Send products in perfect condition — retouching damaged units costs more than replacing them
- Shoot stills and video in one session rather than two bookings
- Confirm the exact platform specifications your images must meet
- Book a larger batch less often instead of small shoots every few weeks
Before you book
Preparation is the difference between a productive day and an expensive one. Our guide to preparing products for a photoshoot covers exactly what to send, how to pack it and what to confirm in advance.
Full figures for photography, commercial days and add-ons are published on our rate card.
Questions clients ask us
How much does product photography cost in Dubai?
A product photography session runs AED 3,500–6,000 for up to 30 retouched images, and a full commercial or campaign day runs AED 8,000–15,000 for 50 or more retouched images. Hourly booking is available at AED 1,200 per hour for short jobs.
How is product photography pricing calculated?
Pricing follows the number of finished images, the number of lighting setups, the depth of styling and the retouching required — not simply the number of products. Twenty products at four angles is eighty images and is planned as such.
What is the cost per image for e-commerce photography?
Working from session rates, a typical finished, retouched e-commerce image lands between AED 150 and AED 200. Heavily styled or composited images cost more because the retouching is time-based.
Can video be shot at the same time as product stills?
Yes, and it is significantly cheaper than booking separately because the set, lighting and styling are already built. Most e-commerce brands now shoot short-form video alongside their stills in the same session.
Is retouching included in the price?
Standard retouching — cleanup, colour accuracy and background work — is included in the stated image counts. Composite work, label reconstruction and complex liquid work are quoted separately as they are time-based.
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery timelines are agreed when the shoot is booked and depend on image volume. Expedited turnaround is available with a 30% surcharge.